Radio Ad Challenges Senators to Preserve Estate Tax

by bob (

Estate Tax

)
Press Release - May 19, 2005
Contact: Chuck Collins, UFE, 617-308-4433;
Steve Smith or Jessica Smith, Fenton Communications, (202) 822-5200

New "Harry & Louise"-Style Radio Ad Challenges Senators to Preserve Estate Tax

United for a Fair Economy Launches Multi-Pronged Ad Campaign to Prevent New Tax Breaks for Billionaires

Radio Spot Available at: www.FairEconomy.org

Washington, DC - The national advocacy organization United for a Fair Economy unveiled a new radio ad today calling on targeted Senators to preserve the estate tax, and in turn, $1 trillion in revenue over the next two decades, when the vote comes up this summer. The ad's launch is an opening salvo in an aggressive TV and radio ad campaign to educate citizens about the potential of massive new tax breaks for billionaires. Two press events, in Augusta, Maine and Portland, Oregon will also launch the campaign from coast to coast.

"We know that the White House will be leaning hard on Senators to pass this legislation," said Chuck Collins of United for a Fair Economy. "We want to make sure they hear from their friends and neighbors at home, not just from the President and the wealthiest 1% of Americans."

United for a Fair Economy today began airing a 60-second "Harry and Louise"-style radio ad in six markets across the country: Helena and Great Falls, MT; Portland, OR; Fargo, ND; Sioux Falls, SD; and Portland, ME. The group, along with other organizations who oppose the repeal of the estate tax, plans to run a series of TV ads during the summer.

The radio spot features a near-retirement age couple lamenting about the debt they and their children will be carrying if the President repeals the estate tax to benefit multi-millionaires.

"With income way down and the tremendous expense of the Iraq War, there will surely be less money for healthcare and education. What a debt our children and grandchildren will be carrying!" says husband, Frank, to his wife, Marge.

Yesterday's Wall Street Journal released a survey that shows that, while most millionaires favor changing the estate tax, most who have inherited wealth say that the rich should pay more taxes.

To listen to the ad, visit: www.FairEconomy.org. United for a Fair Economy (UFE) is a national, nonpartisan, non-profit organization raising awareness that concentrated wealth and power undermine the economy, corrupt democracy, deepen the racial divide, and tear communities apart.

The script follows.

United for a Fair Economy
www.FairEconomy.org

:60
Marge:	Frank, what would happen if you got a big pay cut and our income went way down?
Frank:	Big trouble, Marge. We could lose our health insurance, we would have to dip into the children's education fund, and our credit card debt would get way out of hand.
Marge:	Isn't it the same when the government's income drops. President Bush has given huge tax cuts to the richest Americans. Now, he wants to do away with the Estate Taxes so multi-millionaires, and even billionaires, can leave their wealth, most of it never taxed, without paying a single cent of tax. That's not right. Fixing the estate tax would be better for us.
Frank:	True. But eliminating the Estate Tax would be a disaster. With income way down and the tremendous expense of the Iraq War, there will surely be less money for healthcare and education. what a debt our children and grandchildren will be carrying!
Marge:	Frank, if we understand this, how come the President doesn't? Isn't it time for Congress to stop catering to special interests? Maybe they just don't care about the rest of us.
FRANK	(in an announcer like voice)

	Log on to Fair Economy Dot Org.
Disclaimer: This ad is paid for by United for a Fair Economy, a nonpartisan organization.